Microsoft risks a hefty fine after Brussels issued a formal complaint over its
failure to allow Windows users an “easy” choice of rival internet browsers.

Software giant Microsoft risks a fine of up to $7.4bn (£4.6bn) after Brussels issued a formal complaint over its failure to allow users of its Windows operating system an “easy” choice of rival internet browsers.

The European Commission, which acts as the EU’s competition watchdog, said the world’s biggest software company had broken a promise to help users of Windows choose their preferred browser, rather than having to stick with Microsoft’s own Internet Explorer.

Joaquin Almunia, Europe’s Competition Commissioner, said: “Let me restate a basic principle of our competition rules: if companies enter into commitments, they must do what they have committed to do or face the consequences.”

Mr Almunia said he had told Microsoft his “concerns” around Windows 8 and what needs to be done to avoid a new investigation.

He said: “If a user decides to set a rival browser as a default browser, there should not be an unnecessary warning in Windows or confirmations by the user and the Internet Explorer icon should also be unpinned from the Start screen.”

The dispute dates back three years, when Microsoft agreed with Brussels that it would show Windows users a screen when the software was installed on their computers, which let them choose their desired browser.

However, when it launched a Windows 7 update in February 2011, the choice screen was no longer displayed as a result of what Microsoft said was a “technical error”.

A Microsoft spokesman said of the latest issue: “Although this was the result of a technical error, we take responsibility for what happened, and we have taken steps to strengthen our internal procedures to help ensure something like this cannot happen again. We sincerely apologise for this mistake and will continue to co-operate fully with the Commission.”

The company now has four weeks to respond to the Commission’s objections.